Compressing-machine.



T. LUND.

COMPRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25.1913.

1 1 76,9 1 Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH C0.. WASHNclr'oN. D. c.

T. LUND.

COMPRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man JUNE 25,1913.

1,176,916. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W/T/VESSES Vf/V 75H7 T. LUND.

COMPRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25. 191s.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

T. LUND.

CUMPBESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 25. 1913.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

VWM/55555. I

T. LUND.

COMPRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, 1913.

Patented Mar. 28, 41916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

' or blank fed to it.

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THOMAS LUND, 0F BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED SHOE A MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

COMPRESSING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mai'. 28, 1916.

Continuation of application Serial No.V 711,326, iiled July-24, 1912. This application led .Tune 25, 1913. Serial No. 775,738.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS LUND, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain lmprovements in Compressing-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters Von the drawings indicating like parts inthe several figures.

The invention of this application, which is a continuation of an application Serial No. 711,826, filed July 24, 1912, relates to compressing machines and more particularly to a type of machine used for compressing boot or shoe parts, such'as heels, heel lifts or soles. In machines of this character it is usual to insert the blank or article to be compressed in a feeding device, which automatically carries the article to a sectio-nal compressing mold consisting of a plurality of relatively-.movable dies constructed in a manner to permit the mold to be opened for the reception of the article After4 the blank is deposited in the mold the sections of the latter are moved toward each other to apply -pressure to the blank. After the blank has been compressed the mold is again opened and suitably timed ejecting mechanism comes into play to remove the compressed blank from the mold in order to clear the space for thelreception of a fresh blank. The bottom member of the compressingmold has been fo-rmed as a movable plate supported upon. a spindle which was actuated automatically to lift the plate in the mold when the compressed blank was to be discharged from the mold. The timing of the movements of the plate relative to the feeding mechanism was suoli that the plate was elevated to a position in which its top surface was flush with the top of the mold in time to permit the compressed blank to be pushed off the plate by the feeding mechanism as it advanced to bring a fresh blank into position to` be delivered to the mold. The incoming blank was released by the feeding mechanism and deposited upon the kplate while the latter was still in its ele- When handling thin flat blanks of comparatively large area, such as sole blanks, and depositing them in a mold which may be .somewhat shallow the method above described is not certain in operation, since mechanical considerations in the design of the machine limit the amount of lateral opening which may be allowed themold and, especially when a warped or misshapen blank is deposited upon the discharging plate, the blank is likely to be displaced laterally to such an extent that it will not descend into the mold properly with the plate upon which it rests. The consequence of this is that a portion of the edge of the blank is likely to be sheared off.

An object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for handling a blank which shall introduce the blank into the mold with ease and certainty, thus avoiding tlie diiiculty mentioned. I do this by so timing the movements of the mold, the blank discharging mechanism, and the feeding mechanism that the discharging device is retracted prior to the release of an incoming blank by the feeding mechanism and the incoming blank is delivered to the mold while the mold cavity is open approximately to its full Xtent.

To this end an important feature of the invention consists in the provision, in a machine of the kind mentioned, of meanspreferably a plate normally forming the bottom of the mold but independently movable therein-for discharging a compressed blank from the mold and actuating mechanism arranged to move the discharging means to discharge a compressed blank and to retract, at least partially, said means prior to delivery of another blank to the mold by the feeding mechanism. The retraction of the discharging plate preferably occurs during the movement of the feeding mechanism, which is most advantageously arranged for movement simultaneously with the ejecting devices which eject or remove the compressed blank from the machine. In

the specific embodiment of the invention hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the plate is vertically movable independently of the side dies or lsections of the mold `and is raised and held up in discharging position until the heavier portion of the blank has been pushed off. ln order to secure the best possible operation of the machine, the 'lowering of the plate into normal position may begin before the blank is entirely off it, it being necessary only that the blank be overbalanced sumciently to prevent it from falling back into the mold.

The means for directly engaging and compressing the blank may consist of a mold and a cooperating die arranged for relative approaching and receding movement, the -bottom of the mold being a plate of the character above mentioned, combined with mechanism for causing the plate to rise in the mold during the first portion, and to descend in the mold during the last portion, of the relative receding movement of the mold anddie.` Preferably the mold is mounted on a head which reciprocates vertically beneath a stationary die, the compressed blank discharging plate rising and falling in the mold during the descent of the head. VThe `best formof mold of which l am aware is one which is laterally expansible and a feature of my invention consists in correlating with such a mold feeding mechanism arranged to deposit a blank in the mold during the expanding movement of the mold, and preferably approximately at the end of the expansion because the mold cavity is then open to its full extent.

The invention further relates to improved blank feeding mechanism for handling sole leather blanks. The blanks are usually supplied to the feeding mechanism singly by the operative and it is very advantageous that the feeding mechanism have as long a dwell as possible in blank receiving position, in order that the operative may have time easily to insert a blank in the feeding clamp, and that it be moved into and out of deliveryposition while the mold and 'die are separated sufficiently to avoid interference in the mechanism. It is, therefore, contemplated, Vas a part of the present invention, to provide means for causing the feeding clamp or device to move toward the mold during the last part of the separating movement of the mold and die and to move away from the mold during the first portion of their approaching movement. lNhen the mold is carried on a reciprocating head, as previously described, the feeding movement will occur near the end of the descent of the head and the retraction of the feeding mechanism will take place in the first portion of the rise of the head. To the end that this mode of 'operation may be secured a further feature of the invention consists in mechanism for operating the feeding devices which shall be capable of imparting to the latter a movement of considerable extent and rapidity without unduly straining the machinery or largely increasing the power required for its operation. A stationary cam has heretofore been used to effect the movement of the feed mechanism. According to the present invention a cam for effecting such movement is carried by a moving part of the machine and the combined effectief the movement of the cam and the movement of the mold relative thereto is utilized to secure the desiredY range and quickness of -movement for the feed mechanism. By this arrangement it is possible to effect a feeding movement of considerable extent very quickly, permitting a long dwell of the feed y ing mechanism in blank receiving position. `It is convenient and preferable to mount the cam upon one of thel links of the toggle commonly employed for moving the compress ing mold and such is the construction speci f- Another mhortant feature of the present invention resides in feeding mechanism having provision for various adjustments to accommodate and placeaccurately in the ma-v chine blanks of various lengths, widths and shapes. The preferred construction includes a blank clamping vor gripping device having means for engaging the edges of the blank. In order to locate theblank longitudinally of the feeding device so that it may be fed precisely to the desired position the provission of an end gage movable longitudinally of the feeding mechanism into a variety of ico los

lio

adjusted positions is contemplated and a plurality of pairs of edge grippingfingers are combined with the end gage in order to locate thel blank definitely and hold it se curely. In the broadest aspect of this part of the invention however, it isnot indispen-v sable that'the end gageandgripping fingers be combined in every case since it is within the scope of the invention to use one without the other. Peferably certain ofthe fingers engage the edges of the blank in front of its widest portion and means is provided for separating them sufficiently to drop the blank into the mold without opening the device wide enough to clear the widest part of the blank. l Y' A further feature of the invention resides in a feeding mechanism which is constructed to release the foremost end of a blank prior to the release of the rear end and which is timed to release the blank before the completion of its inward movement. With this The automatic blank discharging Amechanism is preferably actuated by movement of the mold and a novel feature of the invention comprises an improved switch mechanismfor controlling the elevation and descent of the plate within the mold in the proper time relation to the movements of the mold.

When the discharging plate has considerable area its operation is uncertain if a single supporting spindle be depended on to guide and actuate it.

A furtherV object of the present invention is to provide mechanism forsupporting and actuating a plate forming the bottom of a compressing mold, which will be certain and accurate in its operation irrespective of the size of the plate being operated. This is of particular importance in a machine for compressing soles since the mold in such a machine is necessarily quite long and, especially in some of the larger mens sizes, the plate forming the bottom of the mold has Considerable area and is quite heavy. According to the present invention the plate is preferably carried by a plurality of supporting members spaced apart to form a firm base for the plate to rest upon. For the purpose of ease and simplicity in securing exact, simultaneous timing of the supporting members it is preferable that they rest upon a single actuating device and this construction is illustrated in the specific embodiment of the invention upon which the following detailed description is based; but, while a single actuator is preferred, it will be understood that this is not essential to the success of the invention, it being only necessary that the supporting members be moved together in order to operate the plate accurately. The operation of elevating the bottom `of the mold to discharge the compressed blank is preferably performed automatically, although it is at=times desirable to beV able to give the elevating mechanism a range of movement different from that given it by the automatic mechanism, and to do this without operating the remaining mechanism.

Another feature of the invention, therefore, consists in the provision of automatic mechanism for discharging the compressed blank from the mold and additional manual means for operating the discharging means independently. u

While, for purposes of illustration and eX- planation, a specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description, this should not be construed asa limitation of the invention which is more general in'character and the scope of which is limited only as defined in the claims following the detailed description.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sole compressing machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view showing the `machine in front elevation; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the compressing mold and blank discharging mechanism; Fig. 4 is a perspective view ofl a detail of the blank discharging mechanism; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the compresing mold as seen from above; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the blank feeding device with the cover removed to show the internal mechanism; Fig. 7 is a plan view of substantially the same mechanism shown in Fig. 6 Fig. 8 is a plan view of the adjusting mechanism for the blank feeding device; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 shows a detail of an auxiliary clamping device for maintaining the adjustment of the blank.

feeding device. Y

Referring now to the drawings: Astationary frame 10 supports the moving parts of the machine. Power is transmitted from any suitable source of power, such as a belt 12, to a pulley 14 which is geared down through a system of gears 16 to a crank shaft 18. A cross head 20, guided for vertical movement in the frame 10, carries part of the compressing mold, the complementary part of which comprises a die supported by a stationary cross head 22 forming a part of the frame 10. A toggle 24, 26, having a lower stationary bearing at 28, is arranged to reciprocate the cross head 2O vertically. A connecting rod 30 connects the center of the toggle to the crank 32 upon the crank shaft 18. This mechanism is well known and forms no part of the present invention except in so far as ,it enters into combination with the features to be described hereafter.

A pair of mold slides 34, 36 is supported upon the upper surface of the cross head 20. The slides 34, 36 are connected by links 38 and 40 respectively to the stationary crossk head 22 through adjusting devices 42. It will be apparent that as the cross head 20 rises and descends the mold slides 34, 36, will approach and recede from each other.

The side dies or sections 44, 46 of a divided compressing mold are carried by the mold slides 34, 36, respectively. The bottom of the mold is formed by a plate 48 which rests upon two supporting members 50, 52. The cross head 2O is chambered at 54 to permit the passage of an actuator bar 56 which is supported at its ends upon lecker arms 58, 6.0. The rocker arms 5,8, 60 er@f pivotally mounted at 6.2 and. 64 respectively in brackets 6.6, 6,8 secured to the cross head. The actuator bar 56 is so arranged that the supporting members 50, 52 rest upon and are supported by it. Each of the supporting members 50, 52 consists of a horizontal bar having a depending stem 72 which rests upon thebar 56 and a depending stem 74 which enters a suitable hole in the portion 7 6 of the cross head to prevent the supporting members from being turned out of proper position.

' Vith the construction described it will be vseen that when the arms 58, 60 are rocked the bottom plate 48 will be raised and lowered in the mold. This operation is effected by the mechanism shown in Fig. 4. The `rock shaft 64 which supports the rocker arm 60 at its inner end carries at its outer end f three radially projecting arms 78, 80, 82. A

Vlug 84 projects laterally from the free end of the.,arm 82 and has its lower face beveled off at 86 to form a cam surface. Another .cam surface 88 is formed upon the outer corner of the llug 84. These two surfaces cooperate with a switch latch 90 which is pivoted at 92 upon an angle plate 93, which is adjustably mounted upon a bracket '94 bolted to the frame of the machine. A spring pressed plunger 96 tends to hold the latch 90 against a stationary stop 98. An adjustable stop screw in the bracket 68 serves to limit downward movement of the arm 78 and, consequently, of the actuator bar 56. In operation the stop screwT 100 is so adjusted that when the arm 78 rests upon it the bottom plate 48 will be in its lowermost position, and the under face of the lug 84 will be in position to engage the top of the switch latch 90 properly during downward movement of the cross head. Assuming the cross head 20 to be at the lower limit of its stroke, the relation between the various parts of the discharging mechanism will be substantially as shown in Figs. 8 and 4, the sidesections of the mold being separated to the full extent of their movement and the plate 48 being lowered, the blank havingl been introduced into the mold at the proper Vtime by mechanism to be ldescribed hereinafter. As the cross head rises, the beveled face 88 of the lug 84 engages the switch latch 90 and pushes the latter aside. During the last part of the rise of the cross head the lug 84 rises above the top of the latch 90 and the spring plunger 96 forces the latch beneath the lug in a direction which will be toward the right hand of an observer facing the machine and stationed at the viewpoint from which the machine appears as illustrated in Fig. 4; the side sections of the mold close upon the blank, exerting pressure upon it laterally and, finally, the blank is compressed vertically upon the bracket 6 8.

between the plate 48 and the stationarrde -Qr follower 102 AS the @tess head de- @Using the rock shaft- 64 to be rocked in the PlOPeI" dreten t0 raise the. actuator 56 and, threugh the Supportnsmembrs 50 52, the bottom plate 48, until the upper surface of the plate is flush with the top of theA side Sections 0f the meldt@ permit-the blank to be ejected. This elevation of the bottom plate is nearly or quite Completed during theufirsthalf of the descent of the cross head. During the last-half of the descent ofthe vcross head, and preferably near the end thereof, the lug 84 slips olf the latch, permitting the parts to resume their original position with the plate 48 at the bottom of the mold. Y Y

ln order tov permitthe adjustment of the angle plate 93 previously referred to, the bracket 94 is slotted at 95 and a screw 97, passing through the slot, is threaded into the angle plate;V An adjusting screw 99 is also threaded into the angle plate and is provided with a Vcollar 101 which projectsV Asecured in adjusted relation by tightening the nscrew 97. The purpose of this adjustment is to yadjust the upper limit of the movement of the plate 48, produced by the switch mechanism, so that the top of the plate shall come exactly flush with the top of the mold when a blank is being ejected.

The hand lever 80, which is rigid with the rock Ashaft 64, may be manipulated whenever it may be desired to elevate the bottom plate within the mold without permitting the machine to go through its cycle of operations, as, forV instance, when the molds are to be changed. A

The die 102 forming the top of the mold' is secured toa block which is guided for vertical adjustment by guides 112 securedto the upperfstationary cross bead 22. A wedge 1.14 has tongue and groove connections with the block 110 and the cross head 22. A screw its outer-end a hand lwheel '118 and affords means for ladjusting the wedge forwardly or rearwardly whereby adjustment of the block 110 and of the height ofthe'die 102 carried thereby is effected. Y

Referring now' t'o Figs. 6, 7 and 8, a feed carriage is mounted vto slide to and fro Racks 122 upon the underside of the feed carriage mesh with gears 124 (see Figs. 1 and 2) upon the ends of a shaft 126 which is journaled` in the bracket 6,8.

A pinion 128 upon the. said 1339 shown in Fig. 8.

shaft meshes with a gear segment upon the outer end of a lever 132 which is pivotally mounted at 134 in the bracket 68.I The opposite end of the lever 132 carries a cam roll 136 which travels in a path 188 in a cam 140 secured to the lower toggle link 26. A material advantage is realized in `mounting the cam 140 upon a moving part of the machine. In feeding a sole blank a largey range of movement of' the feed carriage is required and, by combining bodily. movement of the cam with relative movement of the cam and cam roll, the necessary amount and quickness of movement can be -secured without making the use of an unduly abrupt cam-necessary.V Apair of gripper arms 142 are pivoted at 144 to the feed carriage. rlhe arms have forward eX- tensions 146 upon which are mounted fingers 148 having their free ends 150 formed to engage the edges of the forepart of the sole in front of its widest part. The lingers are pivoted at 152 to split blocks 154 which embrace the extensions 146. Clamping screws 156, which pass through circular slots inthe fingers 148, serve both to secure the fingers in adjusted position upon the blocks and to clamp the blocks to the extensions 1.46. A rear gage 158 is mounted upon a rack bar 160 sliding in suitable guides in the base of the feed carriage. The rack bar and rear gage are adjustable longitudinally of the carriage by means of a pinion 162 formed upon the lower end of the hollow shaft 164. A spindle 166 surrounded by a spring 168 passes through the hollow shaft` and turns with the latter. An arm 170 upon the upper end of thespindle is provided with a. depending pin 172 adapted to enter any one of a series of holes in an adjustment plate 174. A slot connection 176 between the arm 170 and the spindle 166 permits the pin 17 2'to be inserted in the holes of either one of two concentric rows, as

These holes are so arranged that changing from one to another will-adjust the rear gage 158 for any desired change in the size of the blanks being handled. The adjustment plate 174 is also capable of rotary adjustment about the shaft 164 as a center and is secured by ay screw 17 8. This permits a finer degree of adjustment than is possible by the pin and hoie arrangement alone. The spring 168 interposed between the head of the spindle 166 and the shaft 164 permits the spindle to be raised suiiiciently to remove the pin 172 from the hole and the arm 170 to be turned as required. An additional clamping device 180 (see Fig. 10) embraces the rack bar gage is adjusted the nut 184 maybe tightl cned and the rack bar firmly secured. Two

fingers 222 are geared together Jfor equal and` opposite movement and pivotally mounted upon the rear gage 158 in proper position to engage the side edges of the rear portion of the blank. One of the fingers 222 is adjustably connected to one of the extensions 146 through a link 224 having a screw and slot connection 228 with a block 226 secured by a clamping bolt 227 for longitudinal adjustment upon the said extension. Pusher-s 186 for pushing off or ejecting a compressed blank from the machine to make room for the incoming blank being conveyed to the mold by the feed mechanism are pivotally mounted at the eXtreme ends of the extensions 146. `Friction springs 188 surrounding the pivots tend to keep the pushers in any position in Vwhich they are left. A. pair of stops 190 mounted upon the mold slides are arranged for engagement with projecting ears 192 upon the pushers and cause the latter to swing toward each other into the relation shown in Fig; 5 when the feed carriage is retracted. A pair of adjustable stops 194 at the opposite end of the mold slides are engaged by the ears 192 vto cause the pushers 186 to move away from each other at the end of the advancing movement of the feed carriage.

A lever 196 is pivoted at 198 to the feed carriage and is connected by a link 200 to one of the arms 142. The arms themselves are interconnected to move equally and oppositelyby means of links 202 and gear segments 204. A spring 206 is connected at one end to a hook 208 upon the feed carriage and at the other end to one end of the lever 196. The lever 196 carries atv its opposite end a cam roll 210 which coperates with cam projections 212 and 214, upon the bracket 68, to open the gripper arms approximately at the ends of the feeding and return movements of the feed carriage.

It will be apparent that in the feeding mechanism of the present invention provision is made for universal adjustment to accommodate a large range of sizes and shapes of blanks. This is of great advantage in handling blanks which occur in such avariety of sizes and shapes as do those used in shoe manufacture. for gripping thevforepart of the blank are independently adjustable both longitudinally and transversely of the device. The rear gage 158 and with it the fingers 222 are adjustable longitudinallv of the holder and the fingers 222 are adjustable transversely independently of the fingers 148. Not only does this provide for adjustment to blanks of various sizes and shapes but it also allows the blank to be deposited accurately in the desired position.

The operation is as follows: Assuming the cross head 20 to be in its Alowermost position, the arm 78 lrests upon the screw The fingers 148 ice yao

ejected "it from the machine.

.ment of the cam roll 186 relative to the cam is a quick outward movementof the feed carriage 120, during the initial portion of the rise of the cross head-1, the roll 210 riding upon 'the cam projection 2:14 attire 'end of such movement and the grppers being held open for the reception of a fresh blank, which is inserted in the feeding device by the operative. During the latter portion of tlrerse 'of the cross `head the side sections Yof the mold exert `lateral pressure upon the blank which is pressed heavily against the stationary die 102 at the end of the rise of the cross head. As the cross head begins to descend, the sole is relieved of 'vertif cal pressure and the side sections 44, 46 of the mold Abegin to open.V Early in the 'de scent of vthe cross head the face 86 ci? the lng- 84 strikes the top of the latch 90, throwing the lever 82 'forward and elevating the 'plate 48 in the mold untilits upper face is flush with the top of the mold. The 'elevation of the plate is 'nearly or quite completed during 'the first half `of the desc/ent of the cross head, the Compressed sole resting upon the plate being` then in position to `be `engaged by therendsof 'the pushers 186 and ejected from the machine.V The inward movement of 'the 'cam 140 `and the downward move ment of the roll 136 relative thereto during the further 'descent of the cross head effect a rapid 'inward vmovement of the feed carringe 120. This movement isso timed that the lbottom plate 'will have been raised and the compressed sole resting thereon will be in position to be engaged by the advancing ends of the pushers 186, which engage and begin to push the lcompressed blank off `the plate, The 'side sections of the mold `con-- tinuetoopen during'the descent of thecross head. During the lasthalf of such descent, and lpeferably when 'the cross head is 4near the lower limit of its Tmovement, the lug 84 passes below the face 'of the latch 9C, the lever 78 fallinguntilit rests upon the screw 100 and 'the plate 48 'descending "into the mold. The descent 'of the plate "into the mold occurs very quickly and may begin as soon 'as the heavier portion of the compressed blank has beenpushed ofi theplate, so that the blank will be suiicientlv overbalanced to prevent it from falling back into the mold before Vthe ejectingdevices have The mold is now 'open practically to "its full 4ezitentthe plate '-48 lbeing lin 'the bottom ofthe :mold-and the mold cavity being ready to receive the incoming blank from the feed carriage. A

short time before the feed carriage has coml pleted its inward movement the roll 210 Y strikes the cam projection 212, opening the gripper fingers and releasing the incoming blank held thereby. The feeding movement of the sole blank being rapid, the blank has considerable momentum when the gripper lingers are opened to deposit it in the mold, and it has been found in practice that the entranceof the blank-into the mold is best secured by having the upper surface of the plate 48 at least somewhat Vbelow the .level of the tops of the side sections 44, 46; it being preferable that the said plate be in its lowest position, as above described. Y The plate having descended below the level of the tops of the side sections yof themold,

the .blank drops from the iingers of the feed-V ing clamp. By reason .of the fact that the lingers 148 are farther from the .pivots 144 than 'the fingers 222, the advance end `of the blank is releasediirst, tending todrop -bef fore the other `end drops and enga,` jing the wall of the mold cavity so that the blank is located positively in the, mold `and cannot be misplaced. Y f Y It should vbe understood that the Vterms blank and sole blank 4used in the fore going specification and the followingclaims .are not limited `in meaning to a blank of the exact shape or proportions shown thek drawings, but Vthat the treatment of sole leather blanks 'of a variety of 'shapes and dimensions is contemplated.` Y

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new Aand desired to be secured by Letters Patent is 1. A `machine for compressing boot or i" shoe parts having, in combination, a *hollow mold and a 'cooperating die, `-theymold being Y relatively movable towardfand from therde, a Yplate normally forming the bottom of the mold cavity, but movable relativelylto the mold, vand means for causing the plateftoV rise relatively to the mol-d during 'the first part of the movement of the mold away from the die and to descend relatively tothe mold during the Alast part of 'the movement of` the mold away from the die.

2. A machine 'for compressing boot or shoe dparts having, 4in combination, a hollow mold, a cooperating die,means for relatively moving the mold and die, an independently movable plate normallyforming the bottom ofthe mold cavity, and means for actuating the plate Ato cause a compressed blank to be discharged from the mold during the first portion of the movement of the mold'away from the die `and for vcausin`,f the plate to return to` normal position during the last portion of the movement of the mold away from the'die. v v

, -In a .machine ofthefclass described, the

combination of a hollow mold and a cooperating die, means for relatively moving the mold and die an independently movable plate normally forming the bottom of the mold cavity, and means for causing the plate first to move with the mold away from the d'e, then to rise relatively to the mold during the movement of the mold away from the die, then to descend relatively to lthe mold and then to move again with the mold relatively away from the die.

4. In a compressing machine, the combination of a vertically movable cross head, a hollow mold upon the crosshead, a plate movablevertically within the mold cavity,

automatic mechanism for feeding a blank to the mold during the descent of the cross head, and means for raising the plate in the mold to discharge a compressed blank and loweringit to receive another blank during the descent of the cross head.

5. In a machine for operating upon sole leather blanks, the combination of a mold,

means for expanding and contracting said mold laterally, a plate movable vertically within the mold to discharge a blank there from, and automatic feeding mechanism timed to feed a blank to and deposit it in the mold when the said plate is in the bottom of the mold and the mold is expanded laterally approximately to its full extent.

6. In a machine for treating sole leather blanks for boots or shoes, the combination of a hollow mold, a movable plate normally forming the bottom of theV mold cavity, means for moving the plate vertically in the mold to discharge a blank therefrom and for then lowering the plate, and means for feeding another blank to the mold timed to deliver the blank to the mold when the said plate is below the top of the mold.

7. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, a plate normally forming the bottom of the hollow mold cavity Vand movable vertically discharge a compressed blank therefrom, means for feeding a blank to the mold, and

means for raising and lowering the bottomV plate inthe mold prior to the delivery of a blank by the feeding mechanism.

8. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, means for expanding and contracting the mold laterally, a plate normally forming the bottom of the mold and movable vertically within the mold to discharge a blank therefrom, and means for raising and lowering the plate within the mold during the lateral expanding movement of the mold.

9. In a compressing machine, the com` bination of a mold, a plate movable within the mold to discharge a compressed blank therefrom, means for feeding a blank to the mold, and means for moving the plate to 'discharge ajcompressedvblank from the, mold within the mold to and for retracting the plate prior to the delivery of a new blank to the mold by the feeding mechanism.

10. In a compressing machine, the Combination of an expansible mold, means for expanding and contracting the mold, means for discharging a compressed blank vertically from the mold, and means for operating and retracting the discharging means during the expanding movementof the mold.

l1. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, means for lifting a compressed blank vertically from the mold, means for feeding a blank to the mold, and means for causing the lifting means to lift a compressed blank from the mold and for causing the lifting means to be lowered prior to the introduction of a new blank into the mold by the feeding mechanism.

l2. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold having a vertically movable plate normally forming its bottom, mechanism for feeding a blank to the mold, and means for raising the plate to discharge a compressed blank from the mold and for lowering the plate during the feeding movement of said mechanism.

13. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold having a vertically movable plate normally forming its bottom, mechanism for feeding a blank to the mold and ejecting a blank from the mold, and means for raising the plate to lift-a compressed blank from the mold into the path of the feeding and ejecting mechanism and for lowering the plate during the feeding movement of said mechanism.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold having a vertically movable plate normally forming its bottom, mechanism for feeding a blank to the mold, means for ejecting a blank from the mold, and means for raising the plate to lift a compressed blank from the mold into the path 0f the ejecting means and holding the plate in raised position until the heavier portion of the compressed blank is removed from it` and for lowering the plate before the said blankris entirelyY removed from it.

l5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a. mold having an independently movable plate normally forming its bottom, mechanism for pushing a blank off the plate, and means for causing the plate to rise relatively to the mold to lift a compressed blank from the mold into the path cally' movable. platefnormally forming itsVl bottom, mechanism for pushing .a blank off the plate, and actuating mechanism for the plate arranged to cause it to be lowered quickly to normal position before the blank has been pushed entirely off the plate.

17. In a compressing machine, the coinbination of a mold having a vertically movable plate normally :forming its bottom, mechanism for feeding a blank to-the mold, and means for raising the plate lto discharge a compressed blank from the mold and for lowering the plate before said ymechanism has delivered another blank to the mold.

18. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a mold having a vertically movable plate normally forming its bottom, means for feeding a blank from .a position at one side of the mold to a position above the mold and releasing the blank before its advance edge has come into vertical alinement with the corresponding portion of the mold, and means for raising and starting to lower the movable plate prior to the release of the blank by the feeding mechanism.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold, and mechanism for Vfeeding al blank endwise to the mold constructed and arranged to deliver the 'blank to the mo-ld in a nearly horizontal position with the leading end of the blank lower than its rear end.

2O.v A machine for compressing Vboot or shoe parts having, in combination, a com- .pressing mold and mechanism for feeding a blank to the mold comprising means for engaging the leading portion of a blank, means for engaging the rear portion of the blank, and mechanism for operating said means to krelease the advance portion of the blank prior to the release of its rear portion.

v 21. ik machine for compressing boot or shoe parts having, in combination, a com- 1 pressing mold and mechanism for feeding a blank to the mold comprising means for engaging the advance portion of a blank,

Y means for engaging the rea-rportion of the blank, and mechanism for operating said means to release first the advance portion of the blank and then its rearportion prioil to the completion yof the feeding movement.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a nio-ld, a vertically movable plate normally forming the bottom of the mold, vblank feeding mechanism arranged to deliver a blank to the mold with its leading end dropped below its rear end, and means for raising thc plate to discharge a compressed blank from the mold and permitting the plate to descend below discharging position prior to the delivery of another blank by the feeding mechanism.

23. In a compressing machine, the combination of means for compressing a blank, includ-ing compressing dies, a reciprocating v and away fromV the dies during the first portioiiaof the movement of the head inthe opposite direction.

2l-gl In a compressing machine, the com-z bination of relatively movable compressing dies, a reciprocating 'head carrying one ofV the dies, a blank feeding device, and mechanism for causing the blank feeding? device to move toward the last-mentioned die during the last portion of the separating movenient of the dies and to move away from it during the first portion of the approaching movement `of the dies.

25.y In a compressing machine, the combination of blank compressing dies, a vertically reciprocating head, 4blank feeding mechanism carried by the head, fand means for advancing and vreti-acting the feeding mechanism during-the last portion ofthe descent and the first portion of the rise of the head.

26. In a-niachine of the class described, the combination of a compressing mold, feeding mechanism including devices 'for gripping `the edgesbf an irregular blank 'in advance of its widest portion, and means for moving the feeding mechanism toward the mold and separating the gripping devices by an amount -suficient to drop the blank into the mold, but less than the greatest Width of the blank, and for retracting the feeding mechanism in a plane above the blank.

27. In a sole compressing machine, the combination Vof a compressing mold, a feeding clamp having fingers for engaging the edges of a sole blank in advance of its widest lOO portion, and means for imparting AIVfeed- 1 ing movement to the clamp and separating the fingers by an'amount sufficient to release the blank, but less than the greatest-width of the blank, and for retractingthe feeding clamp in a plane above the blank.

28. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, a plate forming the bottom of the mold, means for elevating the plate automatically to eject a blank from the mold and means for elevating the plate manually. I

29. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, automatic means for ejecting a blank from the mold, and manually operable means for ejecting the blank.

30. In a compressing machine, thefcombination of a mold, mechanism for'ejecting Aa blank from the mold, automatic means for actuating said-ejecting mechanism, and manually operable means for actuating said mechanism.

31. Ina compressing. machine., .the :gambi-filza nation of a mold, mechanism for ejecting a blank from the mold, an actuator for the ejecting mechanism, a plurality of parallel rocker arms upon which the actuator is supported and means including a switch cam, for rocking one of said arms.

82. In a compressing machine, the combi-l nation of a movable mold, mechanism for ejecting a blank from the mold, and means, including a plurality of rocker arms, for actuating the ejecting mechanism, said means being operated by movement of the mold.

33. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of fingers for gripping the edge of the forepart of a sole, a pair of nation of a pivots at the ends ofthe feeding Vmovements ofthe device.A

Y the two pairs are caused fingers for gripping the edge of the heel portion of the sole and means for supporting said fingers in coperative relation.

34. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a pair of fingers for gripping the edge of the forepart of a sole, a pair of fingers for gripping the edge of the heel portion of the sole, and means connecting said pairs of ngers, whereby the corresponding fingers of the two pairs are-caused to move together in the same direction. 85. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of lingers for gripping the forepart of a sole, a pair of ngers for gripping the Vheel portion of the sole, and adjustable means connecting said pairs of fingers whereby the corresponding fingers of the two pairs are caused to move together in the same direction.

36. In a device of the class described, the combination ofa pair of fingers for gripping the forepart of a sole, a pair of fingers for gripping the heel portion ofthe. sole, adjustable means connecting said i pairs of fingers whereby the corresponding ngers of tomove together in the same direction, and an adjustable gage for the rear end of the sole.

37. In a blank feeding device, the combination of a pair of gripper arms for holding a blank being fed, and a pusher Vpivotally mounted upon the forward end of each arm for engaging and pushing away a previously fed blank.

38. In a blankfeeding device, the combipair of gripper arms for holding a blankbeing fed, a pusher pivoted upon the forward end of each arm for engagingand pushing away a previouslyV fed blank, and means for turning the pushers upon their and return 39'. VIn a device of the class described, feed mechanism comprising a` pair ofgripper arms, pushing means at the forwardends of the arms, and means for causing saidV to bridge and to open the Apushing means Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the space between the arms at the beginning of the feeding and return movements, respectively, of the feed mechanism.

40. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, a plate forming the bottom of the mold and movable vertically therein to lift a blank from the mold, a plurality of supporting members for the plate, an actuator for the supporting members, and rocker arms carrying the actuator.

4l. In a compressing machine, the combination of a mold, a plate forming the bottom of the mold and movable vertically therein to lift a blank from the mold, a plurality of supporting members for the plate, an actuator for the supporting members, rocker arms carrying the actuator, and means for actuating the rocker arms.

42. In a compressing machine, the combination of'a mold, a plate forming the bottom of the mold and movable vertically therein to lift a blank from the mold, a plurality of supporting members for the plate, an actuator for the supporting members, rocker arms carrying the actuator, and means for actuating the rocker Varms automatically.

43. A sole feeding device having a gage for the rear end of the sole, means for varying the location" of the gage relative to the remainder of the device, and devices for engaging the side edges of the sole, so connected to the gage as to move with it when its location relative to the remainder of the device is varied.

44. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of fingers for gripping the forepart of a sole, apair of fingers for gripping the heel portion of the sole, adjustable means connecting said pairs of fingers, and an adjustable gage for the rear end of the sole connected to one of said pairs of fingers. 45. In a blank feeding device, the combination of an end gage for the blank, a rack bar upon which the gage is mounted, a pinion in mesh with the rack bar, means for adjusting the pinion and securing it in adjusted position, and edge grippers connected to the end gage.

46. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a movable cross head, a mold upon the cross head, a toggle for moving the cross head, feed mechanism for feeding articles to the mold, and a cam mounted upon one link of the toggle for operating the feed mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS LUN D.

Witnesses:

J AMES O. WRIGHT, WILLIAM B. KING.

Commissioner of Patents 

